The Dance [Paperback]

Jami Davenport (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2008

THE DANCE [Erotic Contemporary Interracial Romance] What's a girl to do after her former fiance declares that she's frigid? Mariah Baker decides to take a jaunt on her wild side...if she can find it. The scruffy Puerto Rican leasing the waterfront house next door appears to be just the man for the mission. After all, what better way to defrost than with a sexy Latin lover? Only Rico isn't who she thinks he is, and time is her enemy. Rico finds fashion-obsessed Mariah intriguing and unique. For starters, she makes horses dance, and his heart does its own tango for her. Besides, a hot summer fling is a welcome distraction from his depressing, uncertain future and dysfunctional, freeloading family. As their summer together comes to an end, Rico's phobia towards falling in love and Mariah's insecurities are a recipe for trouble in paradise. But in the magic of the San Juan Islands, anything is possible. Or is it?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Outstanding Read--Grade A--"If you're looking for a read which will bring tears to your eyes and joy to your heart then pick up The Dance. You won't be disappointed."
--Lynda, Simply Romance Reviews

5 stars--"I am giving The Dance five stars for the excitement and perfection that it turned out to be."
--Val Pearson, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

5 Cherries, Book of the Week: "You can't come away from The Dance untouched. ...I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a well-told romance." --Xeranth, Whipped Cream Reviews

5 Flags: "The Dance is a great book! It pulls on your heartstrings and caused me to tear up a time or two. I definitely recommend this book, its a great read filled to the brim with real emotions and plenty of heat."
--Lynda, Euro-Reviews

"I enjoyed this story from page one. It's well-written with likable, well-crafted characters." -- Jennifer Colgan
"Wonderful characters who touch my heart." -- Karen Denmark
sirenbookstrand.com/editorspick
--Siren Editor's Pick --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc. (July 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1606010883
• ISBN-13: 978-1606010884
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,382,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jami Davenport has been writing since she was old enough to know the alphabet. An advocate of happy endings, Jami writes sexy romantic comedy, sizzling suspense, and equestrian fiction.

Jami lives on a small farm near Puget Sound with her husband, a former Green Beret turned plumber, two dogs large enough to saddle, a prince disguised as an orange tabby cat, and an opinionated Hanoverian mare. Jami is a sports fan and loves football. She's been a rabid Seahawk fan and season-ticket holder through the good and bad times.

In her spare time, Jami rides and shows her dressage horse and grows roses. An avid boater, Jami has spent countless hours in the San Juan Islands, the setting for her first two books. A third-generation Washingtonian, Jami has never lived anywhere else. In her opinion, it's the most beautiful place on earth.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dance, December 30, 2008

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dance (Paperback)

Mariah Baker works as an interior designer on Orcas Island. She lives on an old horse farm left to her by a deceased aunt. Work has slowed to a crawl and the upkeep of the farm is draining her pocket. Mariah's financial problems are not helped by her addiction to designer clothes. Convinced by an ex-fiancé that she is frigid, Mariah's love life is non-existent, until she gets a handsome neighbor for the summer.

Rico Sanchez is a washed up singer-songwriter, after a horrible scandal sent his singing career down the toilet. Rico is part of a huge family who depend on him for everything. He heads to Orcas Island to get away from it all. Mariah is just the kind of recreation he had in mind but will he be able to walk away at the end of summer?

The Dance started off very slow for me but when it picked up, it kept going. Rico and Mariah's relationship had plenty ups and downs and a surplus of emotion. I loved Rico and I was rooting for him all the way but I found Mariah to be childish, for the most part. The Dance will pull you in all directions but you will be happy in the end.

Zayn
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging, entertaining and steamy, October 3, 2008

By 

Francesca Bossert (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dance (Paperback)

I found this steamy romance difficult to put down. The main characters, Rico and Mariah, are hopelessly attracted to each other, yet unwilling to compromise their ideals. Rico's past as a world famous rock star, his creative frustrations, his exasperation with his family and his fear of not being able to fully commit to Mariah are both plausible and endearing. Rico is overwhelmed by his feelings for Mariah, but having been betrayed by love before, he is wary of allowing himself to believe in the possibility of a "happily ever after." Consequently, Rico dances in and out of Mariah's life, trying to convince himself that he is far more suited to a relationship of convenience, yet fundamentally incapable of living a life devoid of stability and passion. Mariah has also suffered in the hands of insensitive men. Strapped for cash, struggling for mandates as a free-lance interior decorator, she spends her life tucked away in the tumbledown farmhouse she inherited from her aunt, riding her Spanish dressage horse. Dazzled by Rico's charm, confused by his erratic behavior, Mariah is brave enough to wear her heart on her sleeve and suffers multiple bruises as a consequence. While her bruises fade, her attraction to Rico doesn't. Both Rico and Mariah have to struggle with their personal needs and expectations in order to make their relationship work. "The Dance" is a truly engaging and entertaining read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner by Jami Davenport!, September 1, 2008

By 

W. Christner (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dance (Paperback)

Jami Davenport has a talent for creating plots that pull you back even when you need to put the book down and get something else done. She has a very engaging style of storytelling. Her characters are full and real, and her settings in the San Juan Islands will whisk you away every time.

THE DANCE is the story of Rico, a "has been" rock star, and Mariah, a woman who "dances with horses." Mariah is on the verge of losing everything, and Rico is struggling to recover from his skydive from wealth and fame.

Mariah is sexually inexperienced and carries some serious baggage from a bad past relationship. Rico has been taken advantage of and betrayed by his family and the only woman he ever loved. Yet, he still carries the torch from that old flame. Their combustable sexual attraction and her deepening feelings for him give Mariah the courage to overcome her fears. Rico's more than willing to school her in the bedroom, but he has no intention of giving her his heart.

This is a very sensual read and if you read Jami Davenport's, WHO'S BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BED, you'll recognize some of the characters and settings. Pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.